Cosmetic container

ABSTRACT

The invention contemplates a container for the efficient containment and selective dispensing of chalk or talc in stick form, as for cosmetic use. The arrangement is such as to provide self-adaptation to changing stick size, as may be occasioned by erosion in use. The arrangement also provides the facility of use which characterizes a conventional rotary or swivel lipstick, and special provision is made to assure the accumulation and storage of chalk or the like dust, in a manner to avoid soiling the hands or contaminating the otherwise clean exterior of the container.

United States Patent Inventor Richard A. Mason [56} References Cited l N g z g UNlTED STATES PATENTS ff 25 1969 2,609,092 9 1952 Braselton 401 75 Patented June 1971 2,612,991 10/1952 Braselton 401/75 Assignee Eyelet Specialty 2,720,966 10/1955 Davis 401/78 wallingford ComL 2,838,169 6/1958 Grau 401/78 Primary Examiner-Lawrence Charles Attorney-Sandoe, Hopgood & Calimafde ABSTRACT: The invention contemplates a container for the efficient containment and selective dispensing of chalk ortalc SQ M R W 'F in stick form, as for cosmetic use. The arrangement is such as alms ramng to provide self-adaptation to changing stick size, as may be oc- U.S. Cl 401/78, casioned by erosion in use. The arrangement also provides the 401/96 facility of use which characterizes a conventional rotary or Int. Cl ..B43k 21/08. swivel lipstick, and special provision is made to assure the ac- A45d 40/06 cumulation and storage of chalk or the like dust, in a manner Field of Search 401/78, 96, to avoid soiling the hands or contaminating the otherwise 75 clean exterior of the container.

7' I Z7 F [1* 22 t '1 I .32 1' .7] I 3/ M a I. f .1 1' 11 i 4 1 I i li L ..l 29 7 1/ II 1; x i '1 1 11 Z6 7 g J i! i /[7 1 i i H s ii 35 I' I 20 /7 1: 2/ J COSMETIC CONTAINER This invention relates to an improved container construction particularly adapted to the selective dispensing of a fragile substance such as a stick of chalk, or a consolidated stick of cosmetic talc.

Fragile sticks of the character indicated are notoriously susceptible to breakage and, of course, for use, they must be readily subject to erosion upon friction contact with an application surface or object. These considerations have thus far substantially limited the convenience and flexibility of use of chalk and talc sticks, as for cosmetic purposes.

It is, accordingly, an object of the invention to provide an improved containing and dispensing device for fragile substances of the character indicated.

Another object is to provide a propulsion mechanism for selectively dispensing a chalk stick or the like, with maximum protection against breakage of the stick.

A further object is to meet the foregoing objects with a construction making maximum use of parts of standard containers such as swivel lipstick containers.

It is also an object to meet the above objects with a construction in which eroded chalk is dispensed at one location and is otherwise efficiently accumulated within the container in a clean and neat manner, so as not to soil the hands, pocketbook or the like ofthe user.

A specific object is to achieve the foregoing objects with a construction which is self-adapting to size variations in the chalk stick, as such variations may occur in use of a given stick.

A general object is to provide a construction which will make chalk or the like stick materials almost as conveniently and economically usable as the pomade stick materials of today.

Other objects and various further features of novelty and invention will be pointed out or will occur to those skilled in the art from a reading of the following specification in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In said drawings, which show, for illustrative purposes only, a preferred form of the invention:

FIG. 1 is an enlarged view in side elevation, partly broken away and in longitudinal section, to show a container of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation of a sleeve in the construction of FIG. 1; I

FIG. 3 is a side elevation of a tubular member to which the sleeve of FIG. 2 is to be assembled;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a propulsion member in the construction of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 5 is an enlarged top view of the parts of FIGS. 2 and 3 in their assembled relation.

Briefly stated, the invention contemplates a container for the efficient containment and selective dispensing of chalk or talc in stick form, as for cosmetic use. The arrangement is such as to provide self-adaptation to changing stick size, as may be occasioned by erosion in use. The arrangement also provides the facility of use which characterizes a conventional rotary or swivel lipstick, and special provision is made to assure the accumulation and storage of chalk or the like dust, in a manner to avoid soiling the hands or contaminating the otherwise clean exterior of the container.

Referring to the drawings, the invention is shown in application to mechanism incorporating a number of parts of a conventional lipstick or the like container, of the so-called rotary or swivel variety, in which cams on two relatively rotatable tubular members coact with the follower of a carrier or propulsion member 11. In the form shown, the inner tubular member 12 has a straight cam slot 13, and the outer tubular member 14 has a spiral cam slot 15, both slots being engaged by follower 10. An upper bead formation 16 and an enlarged base end 17 on the inner tubular member 12 define spaced shoulders for the axial location of outer tubular member 14. The outer tubular member 14 may be unitary and of molded plastic, with an internal helical groove to determine the spiral cam 15, but in the form shown an outer sleeve 18 is lined with member 14, as by press-fitted assembly thereto, so that parts 14-18 are united as a single outer tubular member with the internal helical cam'15. Access for actuation may be by grasping the enlarged base 17 with one hand, and the outer shell 18 with the other hand; in the form shown, more convenient actuating access to base 17 is afforded by a large decorative base extension member or manipulating handle 19, which is generally cup-shaped and has a neck 20 press titted and thus permanently united to the base 17. Angularly spaced local nibs, as at 21, may provide friction retention of a closure cap 22 which encloses the operating mechanism and the open end of the container, when not in use.

The chalk or talc stick to be accommodated and dispensed in'accordance with the invention is shown by heavy phantom outline 25 in FIG. 1; in the form shown, the stick 25 is cylindrical. This stick is too brittle and is too easily eroded to be accommodated by conventional structure which has thus far been described. However, I have found that a resilient wrap of a suitable cylindrical sleeve 26 will properly support the stick 25, even as its cylindrical wall may erode in the process of use.

Preferably, the sleeve 26 is of a plastic having self-lubricating properties, so that it will give rise to minimum sidewall erosion of the stick 25 as it is progressively dispensed and consumed. The sleeve 26 is shown in full in FIG. 2 and is seen as a thin-walled, smooth-bore part which may be injection molded, of polyethylene or other suitable material. Sleeve 26 is longitudinally slitted and is formed with an unstressed diameter which is just less than the minimum tolerance of chalk stick diameter to be accommodated. Thus, stick 25 is accommodated in sleeve 26 as a slight interference fit, assuring lightly resilient wrapping pressure for substantially complete circumferential support of the stick 25; and, should there be any circumferential erosion of stick 25 as it is dispensed, the resilient sleeve deflection is available, as a preload, to accommodate the sleeve at all times to the stick 25.

Preferably, the sleeve 26 is a liner for the inner tubular member 12; it therefore performs substantially all the functions of tubular member 12 and may in certain container sized take the place of tubular member 12. As shown, however, sleeve liner 26 is a separate part, axially and angularly locked to inner tubular member 12, in such relation as to project its dispensing open end 27 slightly beyond the open end of the outer shell or casing 18. For convenience of stick application to the face, the open end 27 is formed as a truncation inclined from a right-cylindrical cut of the sleeve end. In FIG. 2, this truncation is sloped about from the axis, and will be seen as important in providing relatively extensive and predominant support at 28, directly behind the chalk end as it is rubbed in use (in the right-to-left direction, in the sense of FIG. 2).

Since sleeve 26 is a liner for inner tubular member 12, it must have an opening in register with the cam slot 13, in order to permit cam follower action as described. The longitudinal slit of sleeve 26 is therefore widened at walls 29 defining such registration, but the slit is substantially narrowed at 30 near the dispensing end 27 in order to assure maximum circumferential support of stick 25 where stick application thrusts are predominantly generated.

Axial and angular location of sleeve 26 to inner member 12 is achieved by an integral bead 31 of sufficient arcuate extent to locate in the limited circumferential concavity 32 of the upper bead 16 of member 12. This relationship is best seen in FIG. 5, wherein bead 31 is shown with slight angular and radial clearance within concavity 32. This relationship assures no bind on the chalk stick due to the liner-locking relation, near the upper or stick-supporting end. If desired, more positive angular drive action between member 12 and liner 26 may be achieved by forming a local integral rib 33 on the periphery of sleeve 26, to engage between the narrowed slit walls 34 at the open end of member 12.

Rattle-free support of the liner 26 and stick 25 is achieved by providing an integral circumferential bearing 35 near the lower end of the sleeve 26. Preferably, the unstressed diameter of the cylindrical band or bead which defines bearing 35 substantially matches the minimum tolerance diameter for the bore of inner tubular member 12, and it is located substantially at the lower end of cam follower action, thus assuring firmly piloted support for the liner in the immediate vicinity of cam action at'the time when the longest unused length of stick 25 must be propelled or driven. Moreover, the stated diameter relationships at the bearing 35 assure one-sixteenth stick oneeighth slight expansion of sleeve 26 at its upper end, there will be a corresponding slight expansion of the diameter at bearing 35, the latter serving as a light dragging resilient preload at the bearing. For the preferred use of self-lubricating plastic, such preload assures smooth propulsion action and adequate resistance for purposes of holding a given propulsion advance during use, e.g., on the user's face, in the case of a cosmetic application.

In use, the fully loaded container will have a stick 25 of such length as to extend from the dispensing end 27 and back into contact with the relatively smooth upper face 36 of the carrier 11, the carrier 11 being in its most retracted position with follower at the base end of cam action, substantially at the plane of bearing 35. For use, cap 22 is removed, and base 19 is slightly rotated with respect to outer shell 18, thus projecting one-sixteenth to one-eighth inch of stick 25 beyond the open end 27; this extent of projection will be found most convenient for facial application, and has been found to be well served by cosmetic chalk of 0.270-inch nominal diameter. If a given use does not consume all the projected chalk, then the propulsion mechanism should be retracted, and light finger pressure at the projecting end will effect the stick withdrawal.

It will beappreciated that throughout the described operation, and as stick 25 is progressively consumed, the sidewall or periphery of stick 25 will itself erode, to some degree, no matter how great the self-lubricating property of the bore of sleeve 26. At all times, the carrier 11, being elongated, will derive virtually purely axial orientation from its guided relation in the bore of sleeve 26, and eroded chalk or talc dust could cause a contaminating effect on the smoothness of carrier propulsion. To minimize such deleterious results, I provide one or more elongated passages, grooves or flutings 37 in the otherwise cylindrical periphery of carrier 11. These passages freely allow stick dust within the container to pass into the closed end 19, for accumulation without soiling the hands, pocket or pocketbook of the user. lf desired, a suitable gum coat may be applied to the interior of base member 19, so that its natural tackiness may more assuredly entrap such dust accumulations asdevelop by way of passages 37.

Preferably, the plurality of passages 37 is located over the angular span a, in the vicinity of follower l1, and over the corresponding span a' on the diametrically opposite side. This arrangement leaves arcuately extensive cylindrical bearing spans or regions [3-]3' substantially at right angles to the region of cam ac'tion,.for smoothest possible cam thrust reaction in the guidance of carrier 11 within sleeve 26.

It willbe seen that l have provided an improved container construction which makes possible the safe, economical and convenient storage, handling and dispensing of chalk stick materials, as for cosmetic purposes. The mechanism provides smooth action in spite of chalk stick size variations as occur from onestick to another or in use. The mechanism also provides for clean accumulation of dust erosion within the container. Moreover, the mechanism may also make use ofa substantial number of standard parts and thus be economically fabricated.

Although the invention has been described in detail for the preferred form shown, it will be appreciated that modifications may-be made without departing from the invention as defined in the claims.

What'l claim is:

l. A container for the holding and selective dispensing of a preformed stick of chalk or the like substance, comprising relatively rotatable inner and outer elongated tubular members, an elongated auxiliary sleeve supported within and by said inner tubular member and having a dispensing end projecting beyond the corresponding ends of both said tubular members, means angularly and axially locking said sleeve and inner tubular member to each other, a carrier slidably guided within said sleeve and having a substantially continuous chalkengaging end, a radially outwardly projecting cam follower on said carrier, said inner tubular member and sleeve having cam means coacting with said cam follower to selectively displace said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, said sleeve being longitudinally slitted and of resiliently deformable material, and a stick of chalk supported by and in slightly interfering relation within said sleeve between said dispensing end and said carrier; whereby, for such size variation of the chalk stick as may occur from one stick to the next or by reason of peripheral erosion in the course of use, said sleeve will continuously and substantially uniformly and extensively support the chalk stick, in readiness for such slight dispensing projection as may be needed for use.

2. The container of claim 1, in which said carrier is of elongated generally cylindrical plastic construction, with said cam follower integrally formed therewith.

3. The container of claim 2, in which said carrier has an elongated groove along its outer cylindrical surface, for accommodation and downward flow of dust erosion of the chalk stick.

4. The container of claim 1, in which said angular and axial locking means is located near the dispensing end of said sleeve, whereby, upon carrier propulsion, torque reaction to the friction of chalk engagement is sustained primarily at the region of angular and axial interlock.

S. The container of claim 1, in which said sleeve includes a radially outwardly projecting circumferential bearing portion in radially piloted relation with the bore of said inner tubular member, said bearing portion being at the end of said dispensing end, whereby as the dispensing end of said sleeve adapts itself as necessary to varying chalk size the reaction of such adaptation will produce minimal variation in the nature of piloting engagement at said bearings.

6. A container for the holding and selective dispensing of a preformed stick of chalk or the like, comprising relatively rotatable inner and outer elongated tubular members open at the open end of said container, said inner member including a thin-walled sleeve of self-lubricating and resiliently deformable plastic and having a dispensing end projecting beyond all other elements of said container at the open end thereof, said sleeve being longitudinally slitted, a stick of chalk supported by and in slightly interfering relation within said sleeve near the dispensing end thereof, a carrier guided within said sleeve and including a radially outwardly projecting cam follower, and cam means on said tubular members and coacting with said cam follower to selectively displace said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members.

7. The container of claim 6, in which the cam means on said sleeve is a portion of the longitudinal slit of said sleeve.

8. A container for the holding and selective dispensing of a preformed stick of chalk or the like, comprising relatively rotatable inner and outer elongated tubular members, the inner of said members being a thin-walled sleeve of selflubricating and resiliently deformable plastic and having a dispensing end projecting beyond the corresponding end of said outer tubular member, said sleeve being longitudinally slitted, a stick of chalk supported by and in slightly interfering relation within said sleeve near the dispensing end thereof, a carrier guided within said sleeve and including a radially outwardly projecting cam follower, cam means on said tubular members and coacting with said cam follower to selectively displace said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, said carrier being elongated and generally cylindrical for axially stabilized orientation within said sleeve, the

continuous elongated groove for downward reception of dust eroded from the chalk, said cam follower being at essentially one angular location on said carrier, and the periphery of said carrier being smoothly cylindrically arcuate at two opposed angular locations substantially offset from said angular location. 

2. The container of claim 1, in which said carrier is of elongated generally cylindrical plastic construction, with said cam follower integrally formed therewith.
 3. The container of claim 2, in which said carrier has an elongated groove along its outer cylindrical surface, for accommodation and downward flow of dust erosion of the chalk stick.
 4. The container of claim 1, in which said angular and axial locking means is located near the dispensing end of said sleeve, whereby, upon carrier propulsion, torque reaction to the friction of chalk engagement is sustained primarily at the region of angular and axial interlock.
 5. The container of claim 1, in which said sleeve includes a radially outwardly projecting circumferential bearing portion in radially piloted relation with the bore of said inner tubular member, said bearing portion being at the end of said dispensing end, whereby as the dispensing end of said sleeve adapts itself as necessary to varying chalk size the reaction of such adaptation will produce minimal variation in the nature of piloting engagement at said bearings.
 6. A container for the holding and selective dispensing of a preformed stick of chalk or the like, comprising relatively rotatable iNner and outer elongated tubular members open at the open end of said container, said inner member including a thin-walled sleeve of self-lubricating and resiliently deformable plastic and having a dispensing end projecting beyond all other elements of said container at the open end thereof, said sleeve being longitudinally slitted, a stick of chalk supported by and in slightly interfering relation within said sleeve near the dispensing end thereof, a carrier guided within said sleeve and including a radially outwardly projecting cam follower, and cam means on said tubular members and coacting with said cam follower to selectively displace said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members.
 7. The container of claim 6, in which the cam means on said sleeve is a portion of the longitudinal slit of said sleeve.
 8. A container for the holding and selective dispensing of a preformed stick of chalk or the like, comprising relatively rotatable inner and outer elongated tubular members, the inner of said members being a thin-walled sleeve of self-lubricating and resiliently deformable plastic and having a dispensing end projecting beyond the corresponding end of said outer tubular member, said sleeve being longitudinally slitted, a stick of chalk supported by and in slightly interfering relation within said sleeve near the dispensing end thereof, a carrier guided within said sleeve and including a radially outwardly projecting cam follower, cam means on said tubular members and coacting with said cam follower to selectively displace said carrier upon relative rotation of said tubular members, said carrier being elongated and generally cylindrical for axially stabilized orientation within said sleeve, the periphery of said follower having a continuous elongated groove for downward reception of dust eroded from the chalk, and a full closure over the other axial end of one of said tubular members, whereby chalk dust passed by said carrier will be accumulated within said closure.
 9. The container of claim 8, in which said carrier is elongated and generally cylindrical for axially stabilized orientation within said sleeve, the periphery of said follower having a continuous elongated groove for downward reception of dust eroded from the chalk, said cam follower being at essentially one angular location on said carrier, and the periphery of said carrier being smoothly cylindrically arcuate at two opposed angular locations substantially 90* offset from said angular location. 